Supplement Industry Booms as Doctors Remain Wary

Inside one of the largest supplement factories, a look at the rapid growth and quality concerns in the $100-200 billion global supplement market.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The supplement industry has been quietly expanding its manufacturing footprint across the US, racing to meet surging pandemic-era demand. At Thorne's newest 549,000 square-foot warehouse in South Carolina, raw materials from around the world are arriving by the pallet, destined to become everything from creatine and berberine to flavored electrolytes. While the industry touts quality and innovation, doctors warn the lightly regulated market is a 'minefield' that patients are navigating largely on their own.

Why it matters

The supplement boom reflects a broader shift in how people think about their health, with wellness culture moving from the margins to the mainstream. But the lack of regulation means quality and safety can vary widely, raising concerns among medical professionals about potential risks from overuse and mislabeling.

The details

Inside Thorne's facility, workers in full-body suits move between sealed mixing rooms, preparing ingredients like creatine, Indian barberry, and flavoring agents. The company says it conducts four rounds of testing on every product. But studies show many supplements don't actually contain what's advertised on the label, and the FDA only inspects manufacturers retroactively. Doctors worry patients are overdoing it on supplements without proper guidance, while the industry is fueled by influencer marketing and a growing online market.

  • Thorne's newest 549,000 square-foot warehouse in South Carolina opened in 2023.
  • Before the pandemic, around 58% of US adults reported taking supplements. That number is now closer to 75%.

The players

Thorne

An American supplement company that has expanded rapidly, doubling its manufacturing capacity to 549,000 square feet in its newest South Carolina facility.

Kenzie Goer

Senior vice president of planning and distribution at Thorne.

Claire Critchell

Thorne's senior vice president of operations.

Nathan Price

Thorne's chief science officer.

Al Czap

Founder of Thorne, who started the company in 1984 with a focus on quality manufacturing.

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What they’re saying

“It's just been an explosion of people being like, 'I should probably pay attention to my health a little bit more and think about it proactively and take it a little more into my own hands.'”

— Nathan Price, Chief Science Officer, Thorne (Business Insider)

“Kudos to them because they didn't screw it up.”

— Al Czap, Founder, Thorne (Business Insider)

“I struggle with the supplement industry, not because I don't believe that some supplements have value, some certainly do, but I just feel like the incentive structures are all geared toward forcing companies, individuals, people in that industry who are marketing supplements to be dishonest.”

— Matt Kaeberlein, Scientist, Optispan Co-founder (Business Insider)

“The supplement brands and supplement shillers and influencers can make any sort of claims they want, whether it's performance, fat loss, libido. They're not formulating, testing, verifying anything. They're out there cherry-picking studies. They're using animal data that's stretched into human claims.”

— Dr. Haleem Mohammed, Chief Medical Officer, Gameday Men's Health (Business Insider)

“If you would spend this money on a gym that you thought would get you moving, I would rather that.”

— Dr. Nathaniel Chin, Medical Director, Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (Business Insider)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.